‘Blue Center’ will be named for Kelly

The Gainesville City Commission voted last Thursday to rename the Northeast Community Center — better known as the "Blue Center" — for Clarence Kelly.

By CHAD SMITHSpecial to the Guardian

The Gainesville City Commission voted last Thursday to rename the Northeast Community Center — better known as the "Blue Center" — for Clarence Kelly, the beloved former director who died recently at 56."Mr. Kelly totally gave of himself," said Commissioner Scherwin Henry, who suggested renaming the center for Kelly, who had retired from his position at the center about a year ago.Separately, the Public Recreation and Parks Board, which advises the commission, also unanimously approved the name change last week.Alena Lawson, a retired Gainesville Police lieutenant who Kelly called "Sis," said she saw firsthand Kelly's impact on children in his work at the center at 1700 NE 8th Ave."Clarence Kelly is an icon in east Gainesville," she said, describing him as a big guy, standing about 6-foot-5, whom everybody loved "because of his spirit."Darry Lloyd remembers his big hands.If one of the kids acted up, Kelly would grab their hand in a tight handshake and look them in the eye until they understood what they had done, said Lloyd, an investigator with the State Attorney's Office and one of the many who was guided by Kelly.At last Thursday's meeting, Lloyd described Kelly as his father figure."He was very stern. He was real," said Lloyd, crediting Kelly with getting him through the gauntlet of gambling and crack cocaine that he says surrounded him growing up. "He was always there. To see him leave, it's a shock."When asked if he would have made it without Kelly's support and guidance, Lloyd did not hesitate."No," he said.

Chad Smith is a Gainesville Sun staff writer.

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